Feline ALPS (FALPS) is an unusual disease first seen in multiple related British shorthair (BSH) kittens in Australia in the 1990s and in New Zealand from 2008.1 Kittens affected by FALPS are normal at birth but start to show signs of tiredness, reduced growth, anaemia and large lymph nodes (important in the immune system) in the first 2-3 months of life. The disease usually progresses quickly, currently has no effective treatment, and affected kittens often die or require euthanasia shortly after diagnosis. Information can be found Information Overview here and Feline Cheek Swab Collection Instructions here.

Article on Toxoplasmosis by Dr Isobel Johnstone
overview of the disease Toxoplasmosis by Dr Isobel Johnstone who has had a lifetime career as a Veterinary Scientist at The University of Queensland and is a former Director of UQ's Companion Animal Clinic.

Feline Reproduction: Giving Birth to Kittens
Too often a litter of kittens comes as an almost total surprise. The cute little girl kitten from last fall is one day noticed to be a bit round in the middle only the very next spring. No one got around to spaying her and she seemed too young for her adult entertainment.

Fatal attraction (scroll down the page)
Cats and rodents are a classic predator/prey system, popularized in familiar cartoons and demonstrated every day by household cats around the world. Naturally, mice and rats have many defense strategies to avoid their mortal enemies, including an innate fear of the smell of cat urine. That is, until the animals become infected with a protozoan called Toxoplasma gondii. Then, rodents' deathly terror of cats turns into a fatal attraction.

Plan Ahead for Your Pets when you can no longer care for them
It's a sobering thought, but do you know who will take care of your pets if you should die or be so incapacitated that you can no longer care for them? Many people assume that family members will keep their pets, but shelter volunteers see numerous pets surrendered because of the owner's death. Whether your death turns out to be unexpected or not, planning for your pets' care can give you peace of mind.

Toxoplasmosis:
The Cat Disease Most Humans Don't Get from Cats

Veterinarian discovers new fungal species - VIN
A veterinarian in Australia has identified a previously unknown species of fungus that can infect cats, humans and dogs with life-threatening consequences.

Pets and Car Travel Safety

Neutering the Male Cat
Neutering a male cat is an excellent step to help your young man grow into a loving, well adapted household citizen. The main reason to neuter a male cat is to reduce the incidence of objectionable behaviours that are normal in the feline world but unacceptable in the human world.